Head of UN Mission in DR Congo Arrives in M23-held Goma
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo made her first visit Thursday to the strategic eastern city of Goma since its capture by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, the UN mission said. Bintou Keita, the UN secretary general’s special representative, will meet representatives of the armed group and the AFC alliance to which it belongs during her three-day visit, MONUSCO said on X. Discussions will include “the priorities of MONUSCO’s mandate, notably the protection of civilians”, it added. “I’m here to listen to and express my solidarity with the people of Goma and with MONUSCO personnel. Your resilience is remarkable,” it said. The anti-government M23 launched a lightning offensive at the start of the year, taking control of Goma in late January followed by the city of Bukavu, and has set up governing structures in the regions under its control…Keita’s visit to Goma comes ahead of her briefing to the UN Security Council on June 27, MONUSCO spokesperson Sakuya Oka told AFP. AFP
Torture and Forced Disappearances: Inside Wagner’s Secret Prisons in Mali
Since arriving in Mali in 2021, Russian Wagner mercenaries have abducted and detained hundreds of civilians in former UN bases and military camps shared with the Malian army…Forbidden Stories and its partners France 24, Le Monde, and IStories investigated these secret detentions of civilians by Russian mercenaries in Mali. This investigation was carried out as part of the Viktoriia project, in memory of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, captured by Russia in the summer of 2023 while investigating the illegal detention of civilians in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. She was declared dead in captivity on September 19, 2024. Our investigation reveals the duplication of this system of detention and torture of civilians in Mali by Russian mercenaries. Two continents and two very different contexts, but we found the same patterns : kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, no contact with the outside world, and systematic torture—sometimes to the point of death. Forbidden Stories
Russia Targeted French Speakers in Africa with AI-generated Posts, Says France
A clandestine pro-Russian online operation targeted French speakers in Africa with “deceptive” AI-generated posts in a campaign likely directed by Moscow, a French government agency said, in a report on Thursday, June 12. Moscow has sought to expand its influence in Africa in recent years, including in former French colonies, through campaigns using grassroots activists and social media. France’s Viginum agency, which counters foreign disinformation campaigns, linked Moscow’s “clandestine digital activities” to a Russian news agency openly operating in Africa, called African Initiative. With a Moscow address, African Initiative publishes in five languages, including English and French, and runs journalism courses and press trips in Africa. Viginum said the news agency appeared to have set up an operation, which it called “deceptive,” posting AI-generated images, text and video and using “malign techniques” to boost views. The operation using pseudo-media outlets was “likely” run by a web marketing company subcontracted by African Initiative, the report said…The Wagner group had previously played a key role in such operations, but Moscow has apparently moved to centralise control of information operations since the group was disbanded and reorganised following the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a 2023 plane crash. Le Monde with AFP
Al-Shabaab Seizes Strategic Area Amid Fierce Clashes in Central Somalia
Al-Shabaab fighters have released images purportedly of El Hareeri, a strategic village in central regions, further reaffirming that they are still in total control, with no indication of government soldiers within the vicinity. On Wednesday, the militants released images showing their fighters maintaining control of the town of El Hareri in central Somalia’s Hiran region for a second week, despite sustained fighting and repeated attempts by government forces and allied clan militias to retake it. The militants seized the town last week, and there are reports that they are attempting to push deeper into the eastern Hiran region, prompting government troops and allied clan militias to launch repeated counterattacks. However, none of the offensives have succeeded in retaking lost ground. According to multiple sources within Hiiraan, the militants are sending more reinforcements every day, with local security teams noting that the militants are aiming to capture Moqokori and Mahas towns, which are also considered key in the battle for the control of the country…The insurgents have stepped up operations in central Somalia, despite airstrikes and resistance from government troops and allied militias. Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions have seen increased attacks, with the government troops relying on international partners for counteroffensives. Garowe Online
RSF Drone Strikes on Port Sudan Expose SAF Defences
Drones operated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been flying over Port Sudan almost daily, a month after launching the first wave of coordinated drone strikes targeting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the east of the country. The strikes, which took place between 4 and 6 May, marked a turning point in the conflict, dealing strategic blows to the de facto capital of the SAF…Brig Gen (Ret.) Adel Abdel Latif, a former Sudanese Air Force officer, described the attacks as “a paradigm shift in the conflict.” He told Sudan Tribune that the aircraft used are likely MALE-class drones (medium altitude, long endurance), capable of “flying for 30 hours at 30,000 feet, and carrying out complex intelligence and combat missions.” He said the RSF “hit their targets with extreme accuracy,” and added that some of the drones may have been equipped with jamming technology to evade air defences…The strikes revealed critical weaknesses in the SAF’s air defences. According to military sources, effective countermeasures were not deployed until the fourth day of the assault, when the army began using ground-based calibres that forced drones to higher altitudes. The RSF has since continued conducting surveillance and reconnaissance over the city…[Abdel Latif] warned that Sudan “lost its almost absolute control over the airspace,” saying air superiority is now contested. “Countering these attacks requires air force and integrated air defence—which seems not currently available.” Sudan Media Forum
UN, RJMEC Warn of Stalled South Sudan Peace Deal
The United Nations mission in South Sudan and the peace monitoring body RJMEC raised alarms Thursday over rising violence and a lack of progress in implementing the country’s fragile peace agreement, warning that trust between warring factions is eroding. Guang Cong, the U.N. deputy special representative for South Sudan, told the African Union Peace and Security Council that recent clashes have undone hard-won gains in the peace process…Despite calls for a cease-fire, Cong said fighting has continued, displacing more than 130,000 people since March — including tens of thousands who fled to Ethiopia. The violence has also disrupted humanitarian aid in conflict-hit regions. He blamed “a pattern of violations and unilateralism” for undermining South Sudan’s unity government, which was formed to enact the peace deal. Cong urged the Security Council to push for an immediate cease-fire, the release of detained opposition leaders and full compliance with the peace agreement. He also called for investigations into cease-fire violations. The U.N., he said, remains committed to working with the African Union and regional bloc IGAD to revive stalled peace efforts. Separately, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) warned the African Union Peace and Security Council that South Sudan’s political deadlock risks further undermining national cohesion and the fragile peace agreement. Radio Tamazuj
Experts Warn of Famine Risk in South Sudan
Famine is looming over parts of South Sudan as conflict, displacement and disease combine to push thousands of families into an abyss. The situation is especially dire in Upper Nile state, where violence has raged since February between the White Army militia and the government forces. A report released on Wednesday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) shows a worsening hunger crisis in areas affected by recent fighting, with 11 of 13 counties in Upper Nile facing emergency levels of food insecurity. “Of extreme concern are Nasir and Ulang counties in Upper Nile, where people are deemed to be at-risk of famine, in the worst-case scenario. These areas have faced intense clashes and aerial bombardments that began in March, leading to large-scale displacement,” says the report, published by Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao) and World Food Programme (WFP). Humanitarian agencies have struggled to access the area in Upper Nile, especially as clashes escalated between the White Army and the South Sudan Defence Forces…According to the IPC, more than 32,000 people in Upper Nile are experiencing catastrophic hunger — more than three times the number projected earlier in the year. Meanwhile, areas not affected by conflict have shown improvement, thanks to better harvests and continued humanitarian assistance…The report shows that 7.7 million people across South Sudan are facing acute food insecurity, with conflict remaining a key driver of hunger. In Upper Nile alone, 66 percent of the population — 1.04 million people — are facing crisis (IPC Phase 3), emergency (IPC Phase 4), or catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) conditions. The East African
Nigeria: #EndBadGovernance Protest Ends Peacefully in Lagos, Protesters List Demands
A peaceful protest organised by the #EndBadGovernance movement was held on Thursday in Lagos, with participants criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration and calling on it to address poverty, insecurity, and worsening economic conditions in the country. The protest began with protesters assembling under the Ikeja Bridge as early as 7:30 a.m…The Lagos State Police Command, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) all deployed officers to monitor the protest…[A] protester, Bayo Ogunleye of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation, said the group was united in its frustration with the Tinubu-led administration. “Our demands are simple. People should be able to find food to eat and have access to jobs. The government must provide quality, affordable healthcare and free housing. It’s possible—Nigeria has the resources,” he said…The protest ended at 2:45 p.m. without incident. The police and other security operatives maintained a professional presence throughout the event, with no injuries or arrests reported. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohunde Jimoh, told journalists his command supported citizens’ right to peaceful protest. Premium Times
Kenyan Police Officer Arrested amid Protests over Death in Custody
A Kenyan police officer has been arrested in connection with a death in custody, the latest development in a case that has sparked widespread anger and protests in the capital. Albert Ojwang, 31, died in police custody last weekend after he was arrested over his criticism of a senior officer online. Police said initially he died after hitting his own head against the wall, but a government pathologist later said the injuries were “unlikely to be self-inflicted”. The case has renewed focus on long-standing allegations of police brutality in the east African country and protesters have called for the resignation of the deputy inspector general Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, the subject of Ojwang’s comments…Ojwang’s death has been a catalyst for simmering anger over a spate of abductions following anti-government protests last year. Rights groups say dozens were illegally detained in the rallies’ aftermath, with many still missing, and others have been arrested for criticism of the government and Ruto. AFP
China Says It Will Remove All Tariffs on African Exports to Boost Trade
China will negotiate and sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with, it said, a move that could benefit middle-income nations. The Asian economic giant offers duty- and quota-free market access to least developed countries (LDCs), including many in Africa, but the new initiative will level the playing field by also offering middle-income countries similar market access…In recognition of the significant disadvantages that businesses from LDCs like Tanzania or Mali could face from their more developed counterparts like South Africa once the market is fully opened, China pledged additional measures to support LDCs, including training and marketing promotion. Beijing’s move could help relatively advanced countries, with significant manufacturing bases for value added products, to take advantage of the vast Chinese market, analysts said…Trade between China and Africa has been growing in recent years, but it has been heavily skewed in favour of China, which had a surplus of $62 billion last year. During last year’s summit in Beijing, China pledged 360 billion yuan ($50 billion) to African economies over three years in credit lines and investments, marking its return to big-ticket funding deals for the continent after a pandemic-related hiatus. Reuters
Ivory Coast Opposition Weighs Next Move Ahead of Presidential Vote
Ivory Coast’s opposition is weighing its options after four of its top figures were excluded from the October 25 presidential race. Tidjane Thiam, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), was removed from the electoral roll in April after a court questioned his Ivorian nationality. Former president Laurent Gbagbo, his former ally Charles Ble Goude and exiled ex-prime minister Guillaume Soro were also ruled out over past convictions. None of the four can run or vote. Reinstatement hinges on revising the electoral roll before an August 26 deadline which has been ruled out by electoral commission head Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, who cited time constraints. Gbagbo, Ble Goude and Soro would also need an amnesty law or presidential pardon to wipe their records…The government insists it is not meddling in the electoral process and is merely implementing rulings from an independent judiciary…With no alternative plan, talk of a boycott by the sidelined opposition parties is resurfacing…A source close to Thiam said the results of an election without the PDCI or the PPA-CI will have “no legitimacy”. The PDCI and Ble Goude’s Cojep party have joined a broader opposition group known as the Coalition for Peaceful Change (CAP-CI). The coalition has two declared and eligible candidates — former first lady Simone Gbagbo and ex-prime minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan. For now, CAP-CI members are calling for political dialogue and electoral reforms and are avoiding committing to a single candidate. Gbagbo’s party, at odds with both his ex-wife and Ble Goude, remains outside the alliance. AFP